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Open Database Connectivity

Other software applications typically work with SQL databases to provide
additional functionality, connectivity, interoperability, and access. One of
these is the Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) interface (Fig. 2.10).
ODBC allows ODBC-compliant software applications to access ODCB-
compliant databases through a middle layer of software known as database
drivers that resides between the application and the database. Developers of
the application do not need to know the specific database the application will
use. A software application can access several databases with multiple drivers.
ODBC is an SQL-based interface developed jointly by Microsoft and an indus-
try working group called the SQL-Access Group but it is supported by other major
manufacturers of SQL databases as well. This interoperability is important for

Access

Control

Human

Resources

Video

Surveillance

Fire

Alarm

Lighting BAS

Control

Voice

Network

Data

Network

Figure 2.9 Shared databases.

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